Oden’s decision could come as soon as Monday

Free agent center Greg Oden could choose the team with which he’ll attempt to rekindle his derailed NBA career as soon as Monday, according to agent Bill Duffy.

Duffy declined to provide details to NBA.com’s Steve Aschburner, but said Oden has had detailed contract discussions with some of the six teams that are believed to have scouted him in person. The Spurs are reportedly among those teams, with ESPN recently characterizing them as co-favorites with the defending champion Heat.

The other candidates are said to be New Orleans, Sacramento, Atlanta and Dallas.

“We’ve looked at all the scenarios,” Duffy told Aschburner. “There might be less pressure if he tries this with a team that’s rebuilding. Then again, the quality of the medical staff will matter. Maybe a winning team has chemistry that’s good or his role would be clearly defined.”

“Physically, he’s awesome. We’re very happy with where he is. [His health and impact are] going to depend on monitoring him and his minutes.”

Those, of course, are among the greatest strengths of Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich. His skills would be put to the test by Oden, who hasn’t played in an NBA game since December 2009.

The first pick of the 2007 draft, Oden missed roughly four of every five games before Portland waived him in 2012. He averaged 9.4 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 82 games.

As Aschburner noted in his column, Oden amassed 13 points, 20 rebounds and four blocks in his last full NBA game before he was carried off on a stretcher four nights later in Houston.